New timetable: Pvt bus operators annoyed

Ravi Chandel

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, February 15

High drama prevailed at the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) office here today as private bus operators converged there over the issue of new time table for buses on the Rama-Rampura Phul route. They alleged that the PRTC has made ‘unjustified’ changes in the timetable.

The RTA action has come a month late as the directions issued by the State Transport Department had clearly stated that RTA has to prepare a modified timetable for private as well as state-run buses within a month.

The drama continued all through the working hours. Later, the RTA directed the PRTC timetable inspector (TTI) to make appropriate changes in it, but that too failed to pacify the private bus operators.

Subsequently, the RTA decided to put on hold the new timetable for the Rama-Rampura Phul route.

The buses will continue to ply as per the old timetable till the time a consensus in evolved.

The RTA also directed the PRTC-TTI to make the new timetable for this route with the consent of private bus operators tomorrow.

Harvinder Singh, president of the private buses union, said, “Firstly, the PRTC made the new timetable without taking our consent. Secondly, it provided better time slot and proper counter stoppage to its own buses. Lastly, the officials concerned forgot to add some buses in the new timetable.”

According to him, the directive issued by the Principal Secretary of the State Transport Department clearly mentioned that the RTA has to ensure equal time slot to all buses at a counter, whether state-run or private.

However, everything is in contrast to the directive in the new timetable, he alleged while stating that if the RTA does not cancel the new timetable then tomorrow, they will observe a state-level strike.

Amarjit Singh of Dashmesh Bus Service claimed that the PRTC forgot to add his buses on the route, due to which the buses did not ply for the entire day.

Davender Singh, TTI, PRTC, said they haven’t given preferential treatment to any bus operator in the new timetable. He said whenever they come out with a new timetable private bus operators have a problem.

He added that the RTA direction to make the timetable with the consent of private bus operators had made their task even more difficult.

Surender Singh, general manager, PRTC, said, “Private bus operators have a problem whenever any changes are made in the timetable. Besides, we are not the authority to approve any timetable.”

Regional Transport Authority (RTA) secretary Udaydeep Singh Sidhu said, “In view of the present scenario and objections of the private bus operators, I have put the new timetable on hold. I have called a meeting of the bus operators tomorrow for making appropriate changes with their consent.”